Deputy Minister Warns of Media Crisis Amid Digital Disruption

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, said the media industry’s crisis goes beyond business, pointing to challenges in digital technology development that hinder growth.

He warned that these challenges pose risks to the media industry, affecting the quality of public information and the digital democratic space. He linked the issue to the disruptive impact of digital technology.

Digital disruption has shaken the foundations of media businesses worldwide, making it difficult for the industry to maintain balance and survive.

“Creating media is easy. Selling it is difficult. Now anyone can create media, but can it survive and be sustainable? That’s the challenge,” Nezar said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday, May 18, 2026.

He noted that media companies are seeking new business models to ensure sustainability in an era dominated by digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI).

The rise of AI has intensified the crisis, as fewer people rely on search engines.

“Some media outlets that used to receive tens of millions of page views per day have now seen a tenfold drop. When traffic falls, revenue also declines. As a result, companies must cut costs, which ultimately leads to layoffs,” Nezar said. (Misni Parjiati)